Naples Florida Retirement Guide

Editor's Note: This article was written before the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this storm. We know Southwest Florida will be back better and stronger than ever, and we can't wait to write about their next chapter.

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Like many southwest Florida communities, Naples brings together the best of shopping, recreation, and beautiful white sand beaches. But residents here would definitely argue that Naples offers the best versions of all three.

Historic downtown Naples is filled with with high-end shoppes and boutiques. The surrounding areas are littered with championship level golf courses. And this location along the southern Gulf Coast of Florida boasts some of the most stunning beaches you will find anywhere.

It’s actually difficult to find anything about Naples that isn’t absolutely perfect!

Getting to Naples

Naples is located off I-75, a little less than an hour south of Fort Myers, and about half an hour north of Marco Island. This makes Naples the southernmost metropolitan area along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

There is a small municipal airport located right in Naples, but the closest major airport is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers.

History of Naples

Naples was founded by a US Senator named John Stuart Williams and a newspaper owner from Louisville named Walter Halderman in the 1880s.

Many people referred to the area as Naples because of it’s similarities to the city of Naples in Italy, which is known for its waterfront location and mild climate. The name stuck and after World War II the city really began to grow quickly.

Naples Weather

Being the southernmost Gulf Coast retirement destination, Naples residents enjoy a moderate climate that is a few degrees warmer than its northern counterparts for most of the year.

Here’s a look at the average low and high temperatures in Naples throughout the year:

Month	Avg. Low	Avg. High
January	53	76
February	55	78
March	58	80
April	62	84
May	68	89
June	73	91
July	74	93
August	74	93
September	74	92
October	69	88
November	62	83
December	56	78

Naples Healthcare

As with most major cities here in Florida, there are a variety of hospitals and healthcare providers to choose from, so do your research. Here are a few places to start with.

The NCH Healthcare System, comprised of both NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Naples Hospital, is the major healthcare provider in the area, and in 2022 they received the Healthgrades “America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award”.

Bonita Community Health Center and HealthPark Medical Center are also worth a look depending on what your needs are.

Naples Cost of Living

If you are looking for the cheapest place to live in Florida, well, Naples might not be the place for you. It's not the most expensive place, but it's just not the cheapest either. Naples has a cost of living index of 111.9, with an index of 100 being the national average. Florida's overall cost of living index is 102.8.

Things to Do in Naples

Obviously hitting the links and hitting the beach will be high on everyone's priority list, but that's not all Naples has to offer.

The Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre, world-class garden paradise that features plants from around the world. It is also the youngest garden in history to receive the American Public Gardens Association’s prestigious Award for Garden Excellence.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary occupies approximately 13,450 acres in the heart of the Corkscrew Watershed in Southwest Florida, part of the Western Everglades. Located about 30 minutes east of Naples, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is home to hundreds of alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, and red-bellied turtles. A wide variety of wading birds, songbirds, and raptors can be seen throughout the year, while the fabulous Painted Bunting is one of many winter visitors. Photo opportunities are available at every turn of the boardwalk trail.

Plus, there's plenty of great restaurants and shopping in and around town.

Where to Retire in Naples

Valencia Trails in Naples, FL offers the best resort lifestyle with a magnificent 42,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse where every day new events, clubs, and entertainment abound. Relax by the pool, grab a bite at the restaurant, catch a show in the social hall, or take a relaxing stroll or jog along the community’s iconic trails. The options are endless!

Designed for 55+ living, the gorgeous contemporary style single-family homes at Valencia Trails offer the ultimate in style, convenience, and luxury with spacious living areas, impressive gourmet kitchens, and screened and covered patios to make the most of Florida’s beautiful weather year-round. Come home to luxurious standard features including tile roof, brick pavers, stainless steel and gas appliances, designer tile flooring throughout main areas, rich stone exterior finishes and so much more.

Sound like a great fit? Request more information right here: